Winger Adnan Januzaj scored twice in his first appearance in a Manchester United shirt since his Borussia Dortmund loan was cut short as the Under-21s beat Southampton 4-0 late Monday.
The 20-year-old, who returned to England after just 12 appearances, opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a deflected 20-yard shot at Leigh Sports Village.
He also won the penalty from which Will Keane scored his second of the night before his team-mate repaid the favour by providing the assist for the Belgian to smash home late on.
Norwich City sign striker Naismith
Norwich City have signed Scotland striker Steven Naismith from Everton on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
The fee was undisclosed, although reports said Norwich had agreed to pay around £8 million for the player.
The 29-year-old joined Everton from Rangers in 2012 and scored 25 goals, which included a match-winning hat-trick against Chelsea earlier this season, in 123 appearances for the Merseyside club.
Naismith, who has 41 Scotland caps, had started only four Premier League games this season and had not played since December 28.
Lazio’s Lulic extends contract until 2020
Lazio midfielder Senad Lulic has committed his future to the capital club until 2020.
The 30-year-old Bosnian joined the Biancocelesti from Young Boys in 2011 and has since made 130 Serie A appearances, scoring 17 goals.
He is a fan favourite at the Stadio Olimpico after notching the goal that won Lazio the Coppa Italia at the expense of fierce rivals Roma in 2013.
A statement on Lazio’s website yesterday confirmed the former Grasshoppers man had opted to stay for five more years.
Caceres loaned to Melbourne City
Manchester City have loaned new signing Anthony Caceres to sister club Melbourne City for the rest of the A-League season.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side signed the 23-year-old midfielder last week from Central Coast Mariners for an undisclosed fee.
Caceres was never going to challenge for a place in the Manchester City team, and the transfer has caused some consternation in Australia.
A-League clubs are not permitted to sign players for a fee from each other, but Caceres’s move to Manchester City has allowed Melbourne to recruit the highly-sought players in the division.
Sydney FC chief Tony Pignata called for a review of the rules and wrote on Twitter: “The loaning of Caceres to City is wrong.”
Mignolet to stay at Anfield until 2021
Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet has been handed a contract extension in a strong vote of confidence by the Premier League club that media reports said would keep the Belgian international at Anfield until 2021.
“I am very pleased that I can be at Anfield and a part of Liverpool for a long future,” the 27-year-old, who arrived in 2013, said after signing the deal.
Mignolet has missed just three Premier League games since 2013, making 122 appearances since he signed from rivals Sunderland.
However, manager Juergen Klopp has had to defend him this season after occasionally scrappy performances by the Belgian, including last week’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal.
Amrabat, Pantilimon join Watford
Watford have signed Morocco international forward Nordin Amrabat from Malaga.
The 28-year-old Dutch-born player, whose previous clubs include PSV and Galatasaray, was due to join up with his new team-mates yesterday.
Sky Sports said Watford had activated a £6m release clause in his Malaga contract.
Yesterday, Watford also completed the signing of goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from struggling rivals Sunderland.
The Hornets did not disclose terms for the 28-year-old, but reports indicated he was available on a free transfer.
Vidic leaves Inter
Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has left Inter after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, the Italian club said.
The former Manchester United skipper moved to Inter in July 2014 and made 28 appearances but has been sidelined due to injury this season.
“FC Internazionale would like to announce that the club has terminated Nemanja Vidic’s contract by mutual consent,” Inter said on their official website.
Vidic, who formed a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the United defence and won five English league titles as well as the Champions League in 2008, thanked Inter and the club’s fans.
“I would like to wish the club the greatest success in the future. Forza Inter forever!” added the 34-year-old.